EB Issue 21, 04.14.2011 by Sport Stars Magazine

feed the beast. win big. Pg. 29

vol. 2. issue 21

FREE

April 14, 2011

endure | excel | achieve

east bay

spring loaded! Trinity Wilson clears hurdles, takes names. Pg. 14

announcing triathlons:

Youth, family invasion. Pg. 26

Event coverage: AVIA Wildflower ready to bloom. Pg. 27

Rock FIRE

Mitty-San Jose softball conquers Stampede. Pg. 22

STAR POWER

Las Lomas’ Treaven Duffy and Berkeley’s Brittany Boyd. Pg. 18, 20

all access

Triathlons haven’t changed, but triathletes have. Page 24

The 17th Livermore Stampede took on a familiar look. Page 22

On the cover SportStars’ Athletes of the Winter: Las Lomas’ Treaven Duffy and Berkeley’s Brittany Boyd. Pg. 18, 20 Photos by Bob Larson.

First Pitch......................................... 4 Locker Room.................................. 6 Behind the Clipboard.................... 7 Wally’s World.................................. 9 SportStar of the Week................ 11 Club Scene..................................... 13 Extra Bases.................................... 22 Impulse........................................... 28

St. mary’s-berkeley hurdler trinity wilson eyes the crown. Page 14 Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™

Tee2Green..................................... 30 Camps + Clinics........................... 34 Health Watch................................ 36 Photo Finish................................... 38

April 14, 2011

SportStars™

What’s that new paper smell? SportStars is growing up!

ometimes you just feel like shaking insurance policy, they’ll donate $50. things up! That’s not really how we AAA has also made a commitment to felt, but if you’re a regular reader of hand-deliver our SportStar of the Week SportStars than you might’ve already noprize plaques to each of the Bay Area ticed a few changes by now. winners. Those of you outside the Bay When many people turn 21, they Area, we’re confident that your turn will celebrate. It’s a landmark age. For us, as come soon. well. This is our 21st issue and it contains Next, we struck a partnership with the some of our most sweeping changes to the fine people at TriCalifornia. In fact, the magazine to date. state’s premier triathlon event producYou’ll notice the first change the moment ers sought us out. Many of you may not you pick it up: new paper. know this — I can admit that I didn’t I wish I could say we ordered it direct — but the largest uptick in triathlon from Dunder-Mifflin, but alas no. We’ve participation is in the age group of joined forces with a new printer, leaving 25-and-under. Wanting to capitalize on Vertis from Sacramento and joining forces that, TriCalifornia figured what better with Transcontinental. Personally, I think way to reach that audience than through being produced by Transcontinental defithe pages of SportStars. We took it a step nitely makes us sound more global. More further and said, what about starting a dominant. A magazine to be feared. brand new section called TriSTARS? TriYou get the point. California will provide plenty of coverage OK, now for a change you may not have on youth in triathlons, and we’ll provide noticed — because you were so taken aback some coverage of our own on a variety of by the shiny, super-smooth paper. Flip back endurance-related sports: running, bikto the cover and fix your eyes to the top of ing, swimming, climbing and more. the page to take in our new masthead. And finally, one last development to We liked the SportStars masthead we announce — and again, non-Bay Area used on our first 20 issues, but we were folks you sort of get the fuzzy end of the constantly on the lookout for something lollipop on this one — our new parta little more vibrant. And it started with nership with McCovey’s Restaurant, a trying to find just the right star logo. A logo Walnut Creek fixture long known for its that would be instantly recognizable as the outstanding food and service as well as a SportStars’ Star. collection of baseball memorabilia that borders on the overwhelming. McCovey’s We think we might’ve found it, too. A will be hosting banquets honoring our Utah-based graphic artist who goes by El regional Athletes of the Year in each of Jase whipped us up the classy-looking star the four sports seasons, and a perpetual and masthead that you just got done lookplaque will stay at the restaurant listing ing at. We’re hoping you see a lot more of each of the winners’ names. that logo throughout state in the coming Chace@ First, however, the restaurant is weeks and months. SportStarsMag.com undertaking an even more nobel task. And as they say in those 3 a.m. infomerMcCovey’s is holding a special fundraiscials, “But, oh wait! There’s more!” (925) 566-8503 ing event Saturday, April 16 for Bryan Companies are starting to figure out that Stow, the Giants who was savagely beaten we’re a good company to get to know — outside Dodger Stadium after the teams’ and furthermore, partner with. season opener March 31. We created two major partnerships over A portion of all proceeds brought in at the past couple of weeks, both of which McCovey’s between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. debut in this issue. on April 16 will be donated to the Bryan The first one you’ll come to is on page 10, Stow Fund, according to Rocky Dudum Jr. where we’re unveiling what is now known “This is an opportunity for all of us as the AAA (Automobile Association of to come together as a family after this America) SportStars of the Week. But this tragedy and help out,” said Dudum, who goes beyond a company just throwing its represents the third generation of his name onto our bi-weekly awards. AAA has family to be involved with operations at agreed to partner with us in helping give McCovey’s. back to the schools we cover. Anyone who would like to donate to the fund but is unRight now. Wait. Not now. As soon as you’re done reading this magazine, you can go into any Bay Area branch of able to come to McCovey’s on Saturday can send a check to the Bryan Stow Fund, SF Police Credit Union, c/o San AAA and get a free insurance quote, and if you mention Mateo Branch, 1495 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA “SportStars” in the process, AAA will donate $10 to your 94402. ✪ high school or your kids’ high school. Then, if you buy an

FIRST PITCH Chace Bryson Editor

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April 14, 2011

PHONE 925.566.8500 FAX 925.566.8507 Editorial Editor@SportStarsMag.com Editor Chace Bryson. Ext. 104 • Chace@SportStarsMag.com Contributors Bill Kolb, Erik Stordahl, Mike Wolcott, Jim Mannion, Mitch Stephens, Dave DeLong, Gary Xavier, Doug Gardner, Matt Smith, Clay Kallam, Jim McCue, Eric Gilmore, Ray Wolfe Photography Butch Noble, Bob Larson, Jonathan Hawthorne, Chris Austria Creative Department Art@SportStarsMag.com Production Manager Mike DeCicco. Ext. 103 • MikeD@SportStarsMag.com Publisher/President Mike Calamusa. Ext. 106 • Mike@SportStarsMag.com Advertising & Calendar/Classified Sales Sales@SportStarsMag.com Account Executives Mike Wolcott Ext. 109 • MikeW@SportStarsMag.com; Patrick McCormick Ext. 102 • Patrick@SportStarsMag.com; Erik Stordahl • ErikS@Sport StarsMag.com (Special Sections, Calendar, Marketplace sales) Reader Resources/Administration Ad Traffic, Subscription, Calendar & Classified Listings info@SportStarsMag.com • Deb Hollinger. Ext. 101 • Distribution/Delivery Mags@SportStarsMag.com Distribution Manager Butch Noble. Ext. 107 • Butch@SportStarsMag.com Information technology John Bonilla CFO Sharon Calamusa • Sharon@SportStarsMag.com Office Manager/Credit Services Deb Hollinger. Ext. 101 • Deb@SportStarsMag.com Board of Directors Dennis Erokan, CEO, Placemaking Group Roland Roos, CPA, Roland Roos & Co Susan Bonilla, State Assembly Drew Lawler, Managing Director, AJ Lawler Partners community SportStars™ Magazine A division of Caliente! Communications, LLC 5356 Clayton Rd., Ste. 222 • Concord, CA • 94521 info@SportStarsMag.com www.SportStarsMag.com

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your ticket to bay area sports admit one; rain or shine This Vol. #2, April 2011 Whole No. 21 is published by Caliente! Communications, LLC, 5356 Clayton Rd, Ste. 222, Concord, CA 94521. SportStars™© 2010 by Caliente! Communications, LLC. All rights reserved. Subscription rates: 24 issues, U.S. 3rd class $42 (allow 3 weeks for delivery). 1st class $55. To receive sample issues, please send $3 to cover postage. Back issues are $4 each. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of Publisher is strictly prohibited. The staff and management, including Board of Directors, of SportStars™© does not advocate or encourage the use of any product or service advertised herein for illegal purposes. Editorial contributions, photos and letters to the editor are welcome and should be addressed to the Editor. All material should be typed, double-spaced on disk or email and will be handled with reasonable care. For materials return, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. SportStars™© and STARS!™© Clinics are registered trademarks of Caliente! Communications, LLC.

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random acts of factness

he said what?!?

Of the 30 Opening Day starting pitchers in Major League Baseball this season, six attended and pitched for California high schools. Southern California rules all in this department — Kevin Correia (Pirates), Ian Kennedy (Diamondbacks), Ricky Romero (Blue Jays), Jered Weaver (Angels) and Trevor Cahill (A’s) — but Northern California can lay claim to the Yankees C.C. Sabathia. Sabathia attended Vallejo High where he he also played football.

“They’ve been waiting for this for awhile. ... My first day on the job, I heard about the team from Sheldon.”

rapid fire

First-year Archbishop Mitty softball coach Brian Yocke following his team’s 1-0 win over Sheldon-Sacramento in the semifinals of the Livermore Stampede tournament on April 9. Mitty had lost to the Huskies in the 2010 Stampede final. After avenging the loss, the Monarchs went on to win this year’s tournament. Turn to page 22 for more coverage. Chris Scott/CalSportsPhoto.com

You win the title, where are you going (besides Disneyland)?

Most embarrassing moment in practice/ game?

Creative uses for your lacrosse stick Well, it’s lacrosse season. Finally. Frankly, we’re relieved. Because we were sitting around the office the other day and one of us said, “ You know what sport we haven’t really made fun of at all yet? Lacrosse.” As you can imagine, we’re pretty happy to have the opportunity to remedy that oversight. So without further ado, we give you the Top Five things you can do with a Lacrosse stick that have absolutely nothing to do with lacrosse. 1. Whack things. Trees, doors, fence posts. No. Not your sister. I said not your sister! Stop that! Am I going to have to pull this car over? Honestly, we can’t take you kids anywhere. 2. Dig for things. The basket-y bit at the end makes a surprisingly effective digging tool. Bonus: You can totally trap gophers with it. 3. Strain things. Like pasta. Really, really big pasta. Seriously. Like, cannelloni-sized. 4. Carry things. Balance two buckets full of water across your shoulders! 5. Catch things. You know that really big trout that you claim just got away from you the last time you busted out your fly rod? You totally would have reeled that sucker in with this extra-long fish-catcher thingy. — Bill Kolb Butch Noble

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At a dance, are you busting a move or playing it cool? One thing in your sport you’d like to get rid of?

One high school class you could do without? Favorite season?

Nick Piscotty Amador ValleyPleasanton

Evan Quigley Alhambra-Martinez

Hawaii

Magic Mountain

Had a big start at De La Salle and forgot my tennis shoes. I walked into DLS in dress shoes and baseball socks.

In a cross country race, I slipped and fell. But still won.

Missy Sandoval Johansen-Modesto At home with my dad.

On a home run, I tripped at first base

A little of both

Busting a move

Get rid of the designated hitter

Not being able to wear a wristwatch

Nerves. I get too nervous.

Calculus

AP Biology

English

Summer Summer

Summer

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Set yourself apart: Beat the bad hops When a ground ball takes a bad hop and I miss it, I still get charged with an error — and my coach gets mad at me. I know I’m not supposed to make excuses, but how am I supposed to field bad hops? — M.T., Milpitas arry Bowa, who was one of the best fielding shortstops of the modern era, and maybe of all time, became a big league manager and now is an analyst for the MLB network. He was always very tough on infielders, and after his young shortstop bobbled a grounder, Bowa was all over him. Finally the shortstop said what you said: “It took a bad hop.” Bowa just looked at him. “Anyone can field the good hops,” he snarled. And that’s the truth of it. If you’re starting in the infield, or if you want to start, you have to make plays that other people don’t make — and Bowa had it right, because anyone can pick up a ground ball that bounces just as it’s supposed to. Now, your coach should help you learn how to anticipate bad hops, and set yourself so that you can adjust to them, but in the long run, it’s up to you to make the plays that other kids don’t make. A couple hints: First, watch the spin of the ball off the bat. A grounder with heavy topspin is likely to skid when it hits the ground. One off the end of the bat may be moving slowly, but it’s likely to have so much spin it might just twist out of your glove. Second, always try to field ground balls either just after they hit the ground (on the short hop) or after they’ve started on their downward arc. If you get them on the short hop, it doesn’t matter if they do something unexpected because they can’t go very far off line; and by setting yourself to catch the ball after it’s reached its highest point, you have time to adjust to the unexpected. But whether it’s baseball, softball, lacrosse or football, Bowa’s advice still holds: Anyone can make the simple plays, and if you want to impress the coach, you have to make plays other people don’t. In fact, it’s true in pretty much all of aspects of life. Anyone can field the good hops, and deal with the expected — what makes someone special is the ability to adjust when things don’t go as planned.

Behind the Clipboard Clay Kallam

Submit a question for Behind the Clipboard, email Coach Kallam at clayk@fullcourt.com April 14, 2011

SportStars™

There’s dedication to fitness, and then there’s Morgan Berryman-Maciel

f you’re not in great physical condition, prepare to feel exhausted just thinking of what you’re about to read. This is a story about a workout fanatic. Someone who gets up at 5 a.m. to go to the gym, and then goes back at night. Someone who, just to break up the routine, runs a mile and a half just to get to evening workouts. And if the instructor isn’t there? No problem — she’s been known to step in and lead the class herself. Oh, one more thing. She’s 16. Meet Morgan Berryman-Maciel, a junior at Las Lomas High School who brings new meaning to the term “dedicated fitness fanatic.” Tired yet? I had to stop and catch my breath twice just thinking about that routine. But then, I went to the gym probably twice last year. Morgan went more than 340 days — usually twice on the same day. Did we mention she’s 16? Those of us on the parenting side of things, who often need a bullhorn to get sleeping kids out of bed, absolutely cannot relate. “I never bother setting my alarm clock — she never fails to rouse me, or guilt me into getting up to go to the gym,” said Morgan’s mom, Dona Berryman. “Her consistency is what amazes me. Day after day, year after year, she wakes me at 5:15 to leave for the gym.” What makes Morgan tick? She’s addicted to workouts, and is the first to admit it. “About 99.9 percent of the time, when I wake up, I look at my alarm clock and I can’t wait to go exercise,” she said. “It is an amazing feeling when you get ‘in the zone‘ — you feel unstoppable!”’ “Unstoppable” perfectly describes Morgan’s schedule. Monday through Friday, she’s at Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness Club for classes at 5:45 a.m. She goes back after school for more. On weekends? She swims, plays tennis and jogs. (OK, out-of-shape parents. Let’s stop right here and catch our breath again. Huff. Puff. OK. Onward.) Tom Hart, fitness director at Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness, sees hundreds of people train every day. He knows there’s something special about Morgan — and sees her as a shining example for other kids to emulate. “Members see Morgan and truly respect her dedication, especially the parents with kids who have to get motivated just to get out of bed,” Hart said. “Morgan has completed a workout before most of these kids have even woken up.” In an era where physical education

WALLY’S WORLD Mike Wolcott MikeW@ SportStarsMag.com (925) 566-8500 Ext. 109

Butch Noble

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is impacted by school budget cuts, Hart says people need to wake up to Morgan’s message. “Without physical education and a clear understanding of the benefits, most kids are inactive and childhood obesity continues to be a national epidemic,” Hart said. “Morgan is the exception and is a remarkable role-model.” For her part, Morgan says working out is “like a job. If you don’t love what you’re doing, you won’t put all your effort into it, and you won’t get the results you want. “Whenever my family and I drive pass the gym, I always say ‘Look! It’s the happiest place on Earth!” (Happiest place on Earth? Getting urge for Mickey Mouse pancakes. Writing about all of this working out is making me hungry.) But back to Morgan’s happy place. Even if a class is cancelled, she finds a way to make it happen. “One time one of our instructors failed to show up for a class due to a sick child of her own,” Hart said. “Morgan put on her own music and helped lead a spin class.” (Pass the smelling salts. This out-ofshape writer is feeling dizzy.) Amazingly, Morgan does find time to participate in other events — and plenty of them. She’s played tennis for three years at Las Lomas High and was on the lacrosse team for two years, earning junior varsity most valuable defensive player honors. She didn’t play lacrosse this year to devote more time to Girl Scouts, Venturing (a high-adventure program in the Boys Scouts) and a volunteer position at John Muir. She has recently gotten into target shooting and “would like to try rowing in college,” she said. She also plans to take a 60-mile backpacking trip this summer. Long-term, she’d like to be a physical therapist and nutritionist, and teach cycle or be a group exercise instructor. (OK. As we finish applying the Ben-Gay to our legs thinking of the last time we tried hiking on Mount Diablo seven years ago, one final question needs to be asked: Morgan, do you ever sleep?) “I’m typically in bed by 8:30 p.m., so it isn’t too tough to wake up at 5,” she said. “My friends do tease me about being such a baby. I’m always the first one asleep at sleepovers.” But, she does admit to one vice. On Wednesdays, she usually stays up until 9 p.m. – “because of Survivor.” Ahh! Kids. They’re so lazy nowadays. ✪ April 14, 2011

SportStars™

who’s got next?

nominations: Editor@SportStarsmag.com

of the week

myles babitt senior . albany . baseball

Championships are never easy to win, especially when snow is involved and the sport is baseball. Myles Babitt knows all about it as his Albany Cougars won the Alhambra Easter Classic Tournament by defeating Dougherty Valley 9-8 on April 7. But not before a snow delay settled in. SportStars: What was the key to winning the championship? Myles Babitt: It all started with good defense. We had some mental errors but when it came down to it, we made the most important plays that were needed. SportStars: Your game featured a snow delay. Thoughts? MB: That was my first time experiencing that. I don’t think I’ve played in any weather as cold as it was. It was about 40 degrees. We didn’t finish ‘til about 10:30. It was a great experience, though. SportStars: Your father is former major leaguer and current MLB analyst Shooty Babitt. What’s it like having him as your dad? MB: It’s a great privilege that I have for myself. He’s been my role model. I can always turn to him; he gives me guidance. He’s a great role model as a father and baseball mentor as well. SportStars: What did your team learn from this tournament? MB: The main thing is to stay humble. We’re 8-0 (in the Bay Shore Athletic League) and we have a seven-game winning streak, but we haven’t done anything yet. We need to keep doing the things we’ve been doing. MYLES’ QUICK HITS Coke or Pepsi: Coke Xbox, PS3 or Wii: XBox Favorite video game: NBA 2K11, Call of Duty: Black Ops

honorable mention

mcKayla Saavedra The Granada freshman hammered two home runs and racked up four RBI in a 5-1 upset of Amador Valley in the seventh place game of the Livermore Stampede tournament.

ciarra brewer The James Logan senior won the Triple Jump at the Arcadia Invitational meet on April 9 with a length of 42 feet, three inches – four feet, five inches longer than the runner-up.

derrico kwa Picking up 26 assists, the sophomore setter paced the Wolverines to its third tournament title of the year as Deer Valley defeated Foothill in straight sets at the Northgate Invitational on April 9.

AAA SportStars Fueled By: 10

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April 14, 2011

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Special Olympic Northern California East Bay Basketball Regional More than 80 teams representing hundreds of athletes from Monterey to Vacaville gathered in Pleasanton on March 19-20 for the annual Special Olympic Northern California East Bay Basketball Regional. As is always the case at Special Olympics events, there were no losers — only champions. Following is a list of teams that placed first in their division: Division 3A: Hayward Hurricanes A. 3B: Team Oakland 3. 3C: Salinas Panthers 1. 3D: Nergizers Gold. Division 4A1: Washington United Warriors. 4A2: Hayward Hurricanes B. 4A3: Contra Costa Hawks. Division 4B1: San Ramon Warriors. 4B2: San Francisco Bombers. 4C1: Palo Alto Ravens 2. 4C2: Washington United Clippers. Division 4D1: Mt. Diablo Warriors 2. 4D2: Contra Costa Tomahawks 3. 4E1: Monterey Sharks. 4E2: San Mateo Sharks. Division 5A1: Mt. Diablo Warriors 3. 5A2: Gavilan Warriors. 5B1: Contra Costa Tomahawks 2. 5B2: Orchard Ninjas. Division 5C1: Team Oakland 5A. 5C2: Half Moon Bay Panthers. 5D1: San Ramon Superstars. 5D2: Half Moon Bay Cats.

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Butch Noble

Hundreds of Special Olympians from throughout Northern California matched smiles with delighted spectators at last month’s tournament. In the photo at top left, K.Leigh Alfrey of the Mount Diablo Warriors perfectly captures the spirit of the day as she celebrates after sinking a basket. For players from San Mateo to Danville and Santa Cruz to Vacaville, it was definitely the right time to shine.

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club scene

Diablo Rugby in top form as it rolls towards the playoffs By erik stordahl | SportStars As the playoffs loom in the near future, the Diablo Rugby club is hitting its stride at the right time. Loser of its first game of the year, the young squad has reeled off five straight wins with two games remaining in the regular season. One of those wins came at the expense of Bishop O’Dowd High as Diablo reigned victorious 47-19 on April 2 at Mount Diablo High School in Concord. But the victory wasn’t quite as easy as the score might indicate. “At first we were taking it straight to (Bishop O’Dowd) instead of playing defense,” coach Steve Manoa said. “After halftime, I told the team to start supporting each other.” The words of wisdom paid off as Diablo kept its winning streak intact and its playoff hopes alive. Diablo Rugby president Michael Dominguez elaborated on the team’s dominance. “I got some guys that are physical, they’ll hit you,” confessed Dominguez. “We just wore (Bishop O’Dowd) down. It was pretty much a team effort.” That team effort was led by flanker Jesus Rios and fly half Uaisele Manoa, both seniors. Rios attends Ygnacio Valley-Concord and Manoa is about to graduate from Clayton

Valley-Concord. As a club team, Diablo Rugby pulls players from all over central and east Contra Costa County. They’re led by seniors Jeffrey Dominguez, Rios and Manoa also play an integral role on the team. “(Uaisele’s) more like a quarterback,” coach Manoa said. “He has to direct the backs and tell them what play they’re running. We’re starting to get a lot of guys coming out. We’re definitely getting a good group of players from the area.” Whoever is joining the team appears to be fitting in as Diablo rugby continues to steamroll its competition. They took down De La Salle 50-10 on April 9. What’s impressive is this team is comprised of few veterans. “Three-fourths of the team are all first-year players,” explained coach Manoa. “There’s only four guys returning from varsity last year, so we dropped a division.” Whatever growing pains the inexperienced bunch went through must’ve occurred when no one was watching. Diablo appears to be the team to beat in the silver division. Diablo still faces Alameda on April 16 and will close out the season in a makeup game with the Oakland Warthogs on April 23. The playoffs start April 30 in Morgan Hill. ✪ Want your club team featured in the Scene? Email your results or news items to ErikS@SportStarsMag.com

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Jonathan Hawthorne

Diablo Rugby’s Uaisele Manoa sprints upfield during action on April 2.

April 14, 2011

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Trinity Wilson of St. Mary’s-Berkeley is currently the nation’s fastest high school female in the 100 meter hurdles — and maybe the most driven, too

By MITCH STEPHENS | Contributor

eing named Trinity — after the Christian doctrine Father, Son and Holy Spirit — can carry a large burden. But St. Mary’s High School track and field star Trinity Wilson has never seen it that way. The nation’s top female hurdler considers it a blessing. “I’ve always liked the name,” she said. “It carries its own character.” By all accounts, Wilson carries a spirited personality. She’s thoughtful, funny and unconventional. She beats to her own drummer. The 16-year old comes from a family of basketball players, but when she couldn’t dribble, pass or shoot with the best as a youth, she turned her attention to track. And when sprinting past other little kids became passé, she discovered a new challenge at the age of 11: clearing

hurdles. “A lot of people couldn’t do it and I could,” she said. “I liked that. That motivated me. That made me push harder.” Combined with natural speed — her best open 100 meters time is 11.86 seconds — Wilson pushed to national record times at every step – every hurdle: ■ The intermediate girls 100 hurdles (13.87) ■ The youth (age 13-14) 100 hurdles (13.85) ■ The age 14 100 hurdles (13.77) ■ The age 15 and sophomore 100 hurdles (13.46) ■ The freshman 60 indoor hurdles (8.44) ■ The sophomore 60 indoor hurdles (8.29) Despite all the records, she’s yet to win a California Interscholastic Federation title, something that curls her upper lip. Her club coach, Curtis Taylor, doesn’t seem bothered

Photo: Bob Larson

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April 14, 2011

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Chronicles of Arcadia Javon Cunningham evidently enjoys the big stage. The Enterprise-Redding High School senior scored his second momentous triple jump victory in nine months by winning the 44th Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School on April 9. Under cool and blustery conditions, Cunningham went 493½ which is more than a foot shorter than his best of 50-8¼ to win the CIF State Championships last June in Clovis. But what made this win so monumental was whom Cunningham beat. Marquis Dendy, who flew in all the way from Delaware, is the nation’s premier jumper and he showed why by taking the long jump earlier in the day with a wind-aided mark of 24-9¾. Dendy also took the triple jump on his second jump at 48-7¾, but he tweaked his already fragile lower right ankle. The Duke-bound Dendy gallantly tried two more jumps, but eventually had to scratch. The left the door open for Cunningham, who responded on his second-to-last jump with his winning mark. “I’m sorry (Dendy) got hurt — I would have liked to seen him at his best,” Cunningham said. “But that doesn’t mean I stop giving my all. It wasn’t my very best, but winning here in this field with (Dendy) is pretty special.” TRIPLE THREAT: Though Northern Californians were generally shut out throughout the prestigious event, the girls triple jump proved fruitful. James Logan senior Ciarra Brewer, the state runner-up last season, won with a mark of 40-9 ½, and Holy Names sophomores Kortni SmyersJones and Sasha Wallace were third and fourth respectively at 39-5¼ and 39-5. BRIEFLY: The only other winners from Northern California were in the pole vault where Granite Bay senior Katie Zingheim (12-6¾) and Davis senior Ian Rock (16-1) were victorious. Zingheim was well off her best of 13-4. … Two more Sac-Joaquin Section athletes starred in the weights as Steven Boals, who helped Jesuit to a state title last year, was second in the shot put at 59-9, and Granite Bay senior James Kinlock, who placed third in the discus (182-6). … Other Northern Californians of note: Will Findlay (Oak RidgeEl Dorado Hills) and California-San Ramon junior Noel Frazier, tied for fourth in the high jump (6-7), Shanique Walker (Mt. Pleasant-San Jose, 100 hurdles, third, 14.19), Antioch girls 400 relay team (sixth, 48.82) and Rebecca Hammar (Buchach Colony-Atwater, shot put, third, 44-7½). — Mitch Stephens

in the least with that fact. And almost a year later, it still He has spent the past 16 years stings. coaching dozens of the most elite She still recalls not only the deathletes through the East Oakland feat in Clovis but also the 2010 loss Wilson sounds off on a few topics. Youth Development Center Club to Carter at the prestigious ArcaOn life beyond track and field: “I want to Team. Among them are recent dia Invitational. be the female Diddy (Sean Combs). I want to get into numerous business ventures, but state champions Ashton Purvis Almost identical to state finals, all of them dedicated to helping children and (four-time state sprint champ, Wilson blew out of the gates, teenagers. I want kids to know they can do 2010 Gatorade National track and looked great, but was passed at the so many positive things with their life.” field athlete of the year, now at line by Carter. Both were timed in On going to dyestat.com to check University of Miami), Julian Pur13.55 — the top two marks ever track times: “I don’t really do that any more. vis (two-time state hurdles chamat the now 44-year-old event that I can’t worry about all that and look at all the pion, Michigan) and Ke’Nyia attracts many of the nation’s top competition. I just worry about what I can do Richardson (state triple jump athletes — but Carter got the gold and try not to get caught up in the hype.” champion, UCLA). ribbon. On what time it will take to win the He’s coached numerous short Wilson thought she learned her state title: “I’m shooting for any time below hurdlers such as Julian Purvis, lesson then — to never let up and 13.2, but the only thing that really matters is Richardson, Bisa Grant (Bishop attack the hurdles no matter how crossing the line first.” O’Dowd, UCLA) and Michelle far ahead — but then had to reOn being a teenager: “I can sometimes Decoux (USC), and admired the learn it on the biggest high school be a complicated person. Especially for my long line of East Bay greats in the stage. mom.” event such as Daveeta Shepard They were Wilson’s only losses (De Anza), Ashley Lodree (El of an otherwise impeccable sophCerrito), and James Logan state omore season. champions Natasha Neal and Talia Stewart . “Twice I had it taken away from me at the very end,” “When all is said and done, Trinity should end up ahead Wilson said. “It was devastating. Don’t get me wrong. Kori of all of them,” Taylor said. did a great job and I respect her and she deserved to win. The fact she trailed one at the end of last season should But I can never let that happen again. Never.” help push her toward that quest. At 16 – then 15 – Wilson is certainly allowed to make mistakes. But she’s been so flawless since learning her craft that errors – mental or physical – are jarring. Taylor thinks the losses last year should prove beneficial. Wilson was beside herself. Literally. “She’s learning to focus on all her races and for the entire While the 100 hurdle medal winners giggled and con- race,” he said. “That just comes with growth. Part of the gratulated each other standing near the victory stand at problem is she’s accomplished so much in her life, she just 2010 state championships in Clovis, Wilson sat stoically expects to win. on a nearby bench, stewing and holding her second-place “But people forget that because she’s so good at what she ribbon. does and she looks much older than she really is, that Trin“I couldn’t even look at it,” Wilson said of the ribbon. “I ity just turned 16.” had the second-place lettering flipped over. I just stared at the white back portion.” Wilson led from the opening gun to the last hurdle but And as a full-fledged teen, Wilson is allowed to be at was edged at the line by current Stanford freshman Kori Carter 13.33 seconds to 13.35, the two fastest all-condition times a full-blown paradox. “I can definitely be a complicated person sometimes,” times in the country last season. “I could taste it,” Wilson said after the race. “I thought I she said with a laugh. Asked about her top college choices, Wilson noted was going to win the whole way. It was a great race and a North Carolina and Duke because they have the “nicest great time, but it still hurts.” uniforms,” she said. Wilson appeared to be only half-kidding. “She’s really been all over the map with her college plans,” Taylor said. “I think it’s a bit overwhelming for her at this point.” At the same time, Wilson is quite focused on what she wants to do with her life, besides run for the USA in the Olympics. “I want to be the female Diddy (Sean Combs),” she said. “I want to get into all sorts of business ventures, but all of them dedicated to helping children and teen-agers. I want kids to know that you can do so many positive things with your life.” The most positive athletic role model she aspires to be is, of all people, Croatian high jumper and record holder

Trinity Takes

Couldn’t Even Look

Complicated and Conscientious

Continued, page 36 16

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State basketball rewind NorCal Girls Top 15 Final 2010-11 rankings. Teams

from the Central Section are not considered.

Rank School.........................Record

1. St. Mary’s-Stockton................ 29-2 2. Berkeley.................................. 31-2

3. Carondelet-Concord............... 28-5 4. Pinewood-Los Altos Hills....... 28-5

5. St. Mary’s-Berkeley................ 30-5 6. Dougherty Vlly-San Ramon... 28-3 7. Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland....... 25-8 8. Presentation-San Jose.......... 24-7 9. Archbishop Mitty-San Jose.... 23-9 10. Del Oro-Loomis.................... 27-5

11. St. Francis-Sacramento....... 26-7 12. Sacramento.......................... 28-6 13. Lincoln-Stockton................... 27-5 14. Vanden-Fairfield................... 26-7 15. El Camino-Sacramento....... 29-3

NorCal Boys Top 15 Final 2010-11 rankings. Teams from the Central Section are not considered. Rank School.........................Record 1. Archbishop Mitty-San Jose.... 32-2 2. De La Salle-Concord.............. 27-6 3. Salesian-Richmond.............25-12* 4. Castro Valley.......................... 30-2 5. Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland....... 26-7 6. Sheldon-Sacramento............. 24-8 7. Granite Bay............................. 27-5 8. San Ramon Valley-Danville... 26-3 9. El Cerrito................................. 25-8 10. Sacramento.......................... 27-6 11. San Marin-Novato................ 30-5 12. Woodcreek-Roseville .......... 28-6 13. Franklin-Elk Grove .............. 25-7 14. St. Joe. Ntre Dme-Almda..... 27-8 15. Las Lomas-Walnut Creek ... 27-6 *Forfeited 10 games (ineligible player)

Four Northern California teams took home state titles on March 25-26 — two boys teams and two girls. Most folks have probably moved on and headed outdoors to enjoy the spring sports under the sunshine. But we didn’t want to do that without throwing one last look at how the state basketball playoffs shook out. So here’s a breakdown of the final scores, plus our picks as the top players of the postseason and our final NorCal rankings. CHAMPIONSHIP SCORES BOYS Division I: Mater Dei-Santa Ana 43, De La Salle-Concord 36 Division II: Archbishop Mitty-San Jose 53, Summit-Fontana 50 Division III: Lutheran-Laverne 64, Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland 59 Division IV: Windward-Los Angeles 67, Salesian-Richmond 56 Division V: St. Joseph Notre DameAlameda 47, St. Bernard-Playa del Rey 44 GIRLS Division I: Mater Dei 59, Berkeley 47 Division II: St. Mary’s-Stockton 64, Rialto 48 Division III: St. Joseph-Santa Maria 53, Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland 42 Division IV: Windward 51, St. Mary’sBerkeley 47 Division V: Pinewood-Los Altos Hills 67, St. Bernard-Playa del Rey 56 SPORTSTARS’ NORCAL ALL-POSTSEASON TEAMS BOYS Aaron Gordon, Archbishop Mitty He willed his team to the title with 17 points and 21 rebounds in the state final. The rebound mark tied a state record. Travis Pacos, De La Salle Helped seal a 49-43 upset of Castro Valley by scoring 12 of his team-high 19 points during an 18-0 second-half run. Jacari Whitfield, St. Joseph Notre Dame The Pilots’ point guard hit five 3-pointers in the state final, the last of which ended up being the game-winner with one minute remaining. Jabari Bird, Salesian Sophomore closed out dynamic postseason with a 23-point, 10-rebound effort in the state final. Juan Anderson, Castro Valley Did a little bit of everything in helping get the Trojans to the regional final, where he had a game-high 20 points. GIRLS Oderah Chidom, Bishop O’Dowd The sophomore forward upped her season average by more than six points in the state playoffs, from 11.2 to 17.3

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Chairese Culberson, Berkeley Was a rebounding machine for the Yellowjackets, which included grabbing 13 against Carondelet in the regional final. Hailie Eackles, Pinewood The Pacific-bound swingman scored 31 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the state final. Hannah Huffman, Carondelet All she did was score 93 points in three regional playoff games, and commit to Notre Dame a few weeks later.

Kendall Kenyon, St. Mary’s-Stockton Had a career-high 20 points and added eight rebounds in the Rams’ regional final win over Del Oro-Loomis. SOUNDING OFF “We belonged on the court with them. We played an OK game – if we would have played Berkeley basketball, we would have won.” — Berkeley senior guard Brittany Boyd on their loss to Mater Dei, which entered the game ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps.com.

April 14, 2011

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Bob Larson

THE DUFFY FILES ■ THE STATS: 24.7 points / 9.1 rebounds per game ■ SIGNATURE PERFORMANCE: 36 points on 14 of 19 shooting in the CIF Div. II regional semifinal at Archbishop Mitty-San Jose. ■ FUTURE PLANS: Duffy will attend prep school in Boston next fall. He’ll play basketball there and hopes to earn a scholarship offer for the following year. ■ BIGGEST INFLUENCE: “My dad, who made it to just about every one of my games despite traveling more than anybody I’ve ever met.” ■ EARLIEST BASKETBALL MEMORY: “Playing in fourth grade. I didn’t really play that much, and so I’d get excited and travel a lot. I got a lot of traveling calls.”

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April 14, 2011

Jamese Duffy was asked about her earliest memory of her son playing basketball. “His first words were ‘Dada’ and ‘ball,’” she said. With the way that Treaven Duffy handles the basketball — and puts it in the basket — this bit of news isn’t too surprising. Few players were as productive and irreplaceable as Duffy was for Las Lomas High this season. The senior point guard averaged 24.7 points and 9.1 rebounds in leading the Knights to a 27-6 record and their first league championship in 20 years. And he very nearly carried them to the California Interscholastic Federation Division II Northern regional championship game. His efforts earned him the honor of the SportStars Male Athlete of the Winter in a vote of magazine staff and contributors. “He’s just so competitive,” Knights coach Jeff Loving said of Duffy. “And he just loves to play the game. As a coach, you just hope to have one of your best players be that way — someone who loves the sports and loves to compete.” Duffy’s love of the sport certainly isn’t hurt by his dad’s profession. Bill Duffy owns his own sports management

company, which includes NBA All-Stars Steve Nash and Rajon Rondo among its clientele. But despite his exposure to the professional sporting world, Duffy remains humble. “If anything, it’s just shown me how much work it takes to get to that level,” Duffy said. Duffy has certainly put in his amount of work. After being held on the junior varsity as sophomore, Duffy dedicated himself to improving his game. As a junior, he established himself as a scorer on a Las Lomas team that went 12-15 and was bounced from the NCS playoffs in a 52-38 loss to San Lorenzo. For his final year, he put everything together. And the Knights reaped the benefits. “He was just an absolute scorer (as a junior), and the other parts of his game were kind of lacking,” Loving said. “This year he was able to do all the other things. He’d find open teammates, he’d want to defend our opponents’ best players, he was a vocal leader. He really wanted those roles.” Just like when he wanted the ball as an infant. ✪ — Chace Bryson

Honorable Mentions JUAN ANDERSON, Castro Valley, Sr. — Basketball The Trojans had plenty of talent contributing to the program’s record 30 wins, but nobody did quite as many things as the 6-foot-7 Anderson. The Marquette-bound swingman averaged 17.4 points and 6.9 rebounds for his team, which won league and section championships and reached the Division I state semifinals. Anderson wasn’t just a scorer and rebounder. He also averaged. 3.5 assists and close to three blocks a game as well. VICTOR PEREIRA, Newark Memorial, Jr. — Wrestling One of two East Bay wrestlers to reach a state title match, Pereira was dominant. He compiled an overall match record of 50-4 and didn’t lose a match to a California opponent until the state final — which he lost 9-5, but was down only one point going into the final round. He won his second NCS title and finished the year ranked No. 2 in the state at 152 pounds.

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It was Jan. 26, 2008, at Acalanes High School, the third of seven games. There had been rumors that Hercules High School had a pretty good team, and the summer club talk about its freshman guard was hype-heavy. But no one had really seen much of the Titans, a program that had been quietly winning games without making a big impression. That all changed at the Acalanes Shootout, against traditional power Moreau Catholic and its 6-5 center, Malia Nahinu. Nahinu put on a show, with 27 points, 21 rebounds and 14 blocks, but after the game, the buzz wasn’t about the Arizona-bound center, but rather about that below-the-radar freshman for Hercules, a small guard named Brittany Boyd. Boyd finished with 29 points — 21 in the second half — but what was so impressive was how she made every big play as the Titans came from 10 points down in the third quarter to steal a 67-62 win. When Hercules needed a basket, Boyd scored; if the Titans needed a steal, she got the ball; and if they needed leadership, the freshman supplied that as well. In short, a star was born. And though Boyd had to sit out much of her sophomore year at Berkeley due to eligibility issues, there was never any doubt she was going to be a force once she stepped on the court. Although it was a forgone conclusion, all those expectations were realized this season when she led the Yellowjackets to 31-2 season and CIF Division I Northern regional championship. But it wasn’t as if Boyd just emerged — she had worked hard to acquire the skills that make her special. She started playing when she was 6, and worked with her dad, DeShawn Boyd, on her skills. And then she started playing in Oakland, where she started to understand the game. “Leroy Hurt (the AAU Cal Ballaz coach) helped me to be a floor general,” Boyd said. “My freshman year I knew I was good, but over time, I grew to understand myself.” And those who’ve watched her play over the years have seen her steady development. That won’t change, either, as the next stage of her basketball career will continue right down Telegraph Avenue at Haas Pavilion. She ended up choosing Cal due in part to her connection with her high school teammates and her hometown. “We were friends on and off the court,” said Boyd of the Yellowjackets, “And the Berkeley High community is great,” That community will get a chance to see her continue to grow and improve for the next four years. — Clay Kallam

THE BOYD FILES ds per game ■ THE STATS: 15.7 points/6.7 steals/5.2 assists/6.4 reboun rebounds and seven assists nine steals, 10 points, 20 : RMANCE PERFO TURE ■ SIGNA playoffs. state the of vs. Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills in the second round letter, from North Carofirst my d receive “I : ■ ON HER FIRST RECRUITMENT LETTER

Bob Larson

Honorable Mentions HANNAH HUFFMAN, Carondelet, Jr. — Basketball Huffman saved her best for the biggest games, averaging more than 30 points in the state playoffs — including a 34-point, 8-rebound effort in the CIF regional quarterfinals and a 30-point performance against Berkeley in the regional final. She was the East Bay Athletic League co-MVP after helping Carondelet go undefeated in league play for the second straight season. She averaged 16.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.5 steals and 1.2 blocks a game this season.

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Winter’s Best

freshman and you’re starting on the varsity BOYS COACH OF THE FALL basketball team during the same season Frank Allocco, De La Salle basketball: that you’re leading the varsity soccer team in Over the years, fans have come to expect goals scored, well that’s the same things out of going to attract some every Frank Alloccoattention. She had 17 coached team: Tenacious goals and six assists for defense, maximum effort the soccer team, while and a fine-tuned, disciMiramonte girls basketball plined half-court offense. coach Kelly Sopak reAnd usually a little talent ferred to her as the most to execute it all. But the impressive freshman he’s 2010-11 Spartans were ever coached. his most blue-collar team BOYS RISING STAR yet, led in scoring by a forJabari Bird, Salemer football player in his sian boys baksetball: first full year of hoops and Bird was hardly under with no player taller than the radar this season. 6-4. Still, Allocco guided He was a highly-touted the team to the CIF sophomore transfer from Division I state championBenicia before the season ship where they nearly Jonathan Hawthorne even began, and then he pulled off a monumental Frank Allocco, De La Salle was put under a greater upset over the state’s spotlight after a papertop-ranked team, Mater work hiccup caused him Dei-Santa Ana. to be ineligible. Once reinstated, Bird took GIRLS COACH OF THE FALL flight and showed why he’ll be a star for the Malik McCord, Bishop O’Dowd basPride for the next two seasons. In the CIF ketball: It would be tough not to recognize Div. IV state final, he posted a double-double the coach that finally got the historically-sucof 23 points and 10 rebounds. cessful program over the hump and into its BIGGEST UPSET first state championship game. He certainly Dougherty Valley girls soccer: The had talent on his side, but it was young talWildcats had already shocked the North ent. Just one senior on a roster that included Coast Section Division II tournament by six sophomores and a freshman. McCord reaching the championship game as the No. first guided the Dragons to a third straight 10 seed. But they weren’t finished. Taking on NCS title (with an overtime victory over top seed Bishop O’Dowd — a 21-win team Campolindo) before reaching the Northern regional championship where they beat Sac- which had vanquished its first three playoff ramento High to avenge their season-ending opponents by a combined score of 11-0 — Dougherty Valley forced a 1-1 tie and then loss of a year ago. toppled the Dragons in a penalty-kick shootGIRLS RISING STAR out (4-2). Stephanie Amack delivered a PK Megan Reid, Miramonte girls basgoal and the Wildcats’ regulation goal. ✪ ketball and soccer: When you’re just a

lina, in seventh grade.” gton and Princeton ■ THE COLLEGES THAT JUST MISSED OUT: Washin making the team was motiva“Not : ROSTER U-18 USA FOR CUT THE ■ ON MISSING ed.” tion to me. I was in the gym every day to prove that I belong

BRIANA GAINES, Dougherty Valley, Sr. — Basketball/Soccer Her future will be in a soccer uniform, and that’s where she led the Wildcats in scoring with 15 goals. Five of those goals came in the postseason when underdog 10th-seeded Dougherty Valley rolled all the way to the NCS championship and knocked off heavy-favorite Bishop O’Dowd. One week later, she helped the basketball team win a section crown. She averaged 7.2 points, 2.4 assists and 4.3 steals per game.

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extra bases

Mitty softball claims another Stampede crown after bouncing rival By Chace Bryson | Editor There’s no doubt that the Livermore Stampede has grown into one of the premier high school softball tournaments held in Northern California. But for the past three years, it has seemingly existed only to prove one thing — which perennial softball powerhouse, Sheldon-Sacramento or Archbishop Mitty-San Jose, had the better team. The two teams have made a habit of squaring off in the Stampede championship, with Sheldon winning the most recent showdown in 2010. So it was no surprise that when the two teams met in the semifinals of this year’s tournament, the game carried a championship electricity. Heading into the bottom of the seventh with a 1-0 lead and junior Vanessa Alvarez throwing a one-hitter, Mitty appeared to be on the fast track to avenge the loss from a year ago. A loss that the Monarchs had been chewing on for nearly a year. “They’ve been waiting for this for awhile,” Mitty coach Brian Yocke said of his team. But cruise control would have to wait. Sheldon’s Danielle Henderson opened the inning by drawing a seven-pitch walk. She would then stay on base and watch teammate Alexis Cooper — who was also pitching a gem as Alvarez’s counterpart — battle for 15 pitchers before

shooting No. 16 up the middle for a base hit. Alvarez needed just one pitch to the next batter to get her first out, a flyout to right. But her 0-1 pitch to MeShalon Moore was hit sharply off the glove of shortstop Sylvia Llamas. By the time the ball was corralled, the Huskies had the bases loaded and just one out. “I kept my cool because I trust my defense to the fullest,” Alvarez said. “We play them year after year, and we know them. Basically, we just knew we had to stay calm and know where we’re going with the ball.” And so Alvarez knew just what to do when Nikki Miles hit a ground ball comebacker right to her. She fired right back at catcher Chiara Biagini, who tagged the plate and threw to first for a game-ending 1-2-3 double play . After escaping that, the championship game against Rodriguez-Fairfield probably felt like an exhibition. The Monarchs jumped out a 2-0 lead in the first on a two-run single by Dani Pianto, and Alvarez took things from there. She allowed just two hits through the first five innings, and Mitty had a commanding 5-0 lead by the time the Mustangs pushed a run across in the top of the sixth. “Her curve was working really well,” Biagini said of Alvarez. “When she has her outside pitch it really makes her tough.” Rodriguez, which reached the final with a 9-4 dusting of Castro Valley, was kept off balance throughout the game. The

NorCal Softball Top 15

NorCal Baseball Top 15

Records are through April 9. Teams from the

Central Section are not considered.

Rank, team.................................................Record

1. Archbishop Mitty-San Jose...........................11-2

1. St. Francis-Mountain View........................... 17-1.

2. Rodriguez-Fairfield....................................... 13-3

2. Turlock.......................................................... 15-1

3. Johansen-Modesto...................................... 14-0

3. Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove............................11-0

4. Sheldon-Sacramento....................................11-2

4. Archbishop Mitty-San Jose...........................11-3

5. San Benito-Hollister....................................... 6-0

5. Elk Grove........................................................ 8-2

6. Amador Valley-Pleasanton............................ 8-3

6. De La Salle-Concord...................................... 9-2

7. Elk Grove...................................................... 13-4

7. Monte Vista-Danville...................................... 8-1

8. Gilroy............................................................. 14-2

8. Alameda.......................................................... 9-1

9 James Logan-Union City................................ 5-1

9. Wilcox-Santa Clara ..................................... 15-3

10. Merrill West-Tracy...................................... 15-0

10. San Ramon Valley-Danville......................... 7-2

11. Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove..........................11-5

11. James Logan-Union City........................... 10-1

12. Aptos............................................................. 8-1

12. Amador Valley-Pleasanton.......................... 5-3

13. Pinole Valley-Pinole..................................... 8-1

13. Clayton Valley-Concord............................ 9-1-2

14. Antioch.......................................................... 8-2

14. Granite Bay................................................8-1-1

15. Carondelet-Concord.................................... 9-1

15. San Marin-Novato...................................10-1-1

Chris Scott/CalSportsPhoto.com

Archbishop Mitty-San Jose pitcher Vanessa Alvarez earned tournament MVP honors after giving up just 10 hits and striking out 41 in 30 innings of work at the Livermore Stampede. Mustangs struck out 11 times against Alvarez. The team’s only run didn’t even come on a hit, but as a delayed steal of home by Charlotte Galzote. “It’s just a long tournament,” Rodriguez coach Tracy Cordes said. “We had to battle back in almost every single game and we kind of just ran out at the end. ... (Mitty’s) pitcher had us a little off-balance and we weren’t swinging at the ones we need to and were swinging at the ones above our head. Our girls battled all weekend, though. We would’ve liked first, but we’ll take that second.” Led by Cooper, Sheldon recovered to deliver a 13-1 win over Castro Valley in the third place game. Cooper struck out 10 and delivered a 3-run homer. ✪

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its Participation and Growth When the USA Triathlon Association released 1,208,000 Americans parwere there Trends report for 2010 — indicating that Junior division that was the in h growt the ticipating in triathlon in 2009 — it was most impressive. r 25 years old,” said Colleen “We’ve seen a meteoric rise in young runners unde California’s premier marathon Bousman, President of Tri-California Events — first to the table in reaching and and triathlon events producer. “We wanted to be encouraging this market.” zine in hopes of creating As a result, Bousman reached out to SportStars Maga a voice for triathletes age 25 or younger. r and teen athletes, many of “SportStars already reaches some 300,000 junio s,” SportStars publisher and whom participate in running and multi-sport event Tri-California to reach the talpresident Mike Calamusa said. “Partnering with triathlon is such a natural fit for ented young athletes and families in the sport of for just the right opportunity to our existing audience. ... We have been looking alifornia provides the perfect enter this exciting market and partnering with Tri-C fit.” plan to produce a youthTogether, Tri-California Events and the magazine as “TriSTARS” within ching Laun zine. maga focused multi-sport and endurance the pages of SportStars and on its website. a natural for announcing the Choosing April as the launch date for TriSTARS is event, which takes place April season-opening Avia Wildflower Triathlons. The County, spans three days and 29 through May 1 at Lake San Antonio in Monterey attracts 7,500 racers and 30,000 spectators. — SportStars

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Here come the Ironkids By tim carlson | Contributor

nis, skiing, skateboarding as well as the traditional components of triathlon — swimming, biking and running — riathlon is one of the fastest growing participant there is something magical about combining all three that sports in the United States, as witnessed by the rise satisfies kids used to the modern multitasking world. from 20,000 members of USA Triathlon in 2000 to “I love triathlon because it has swimming, biking and well over 135,000 today. At the same time, according to running and those are my favorite sports,” says Grace. USA Triathlon Southwest Regional director of athlete deOne of the key draws to triathlon is the fact that is revelopment Sharon Osgood, young triathletes from age 7 to quires some coolness and nerve under manageable pres19 account for one quarter of that figure. sure – in particular in the mass While one part of the youth swim starts. wave is directed to highly“The scariest part of a tricompetitive clubs, coaches and athlon is the beginning of the events that may eventually lead swim,” says James. “Because to Olympic appearances and there are a lot of people and pro careers, the vast majority sometimes people can kick are drawn to the sport as a fun you in the face and I’m afraid challenge that promotes a viI’m going to get a black eye.” brant, healthy lifestyle. He prefers the final leg. One of the magnets for “I love the run, because I youth and their fellow famusually can’t feel my legs, so it ily members to get introduced feels like I am going to take off to the sport is the Wildflower and fly!” Triathlon Festival at Lake San The Saurenman Family of Antonio in Monterey County Laverne— father Skid Saurenwhich draws some 8,000 parman, mother Marilee Guzticipants and 30,000 spectaman-Saurenman and son Jators in early May. While some cob — will also be on the start young competitors are drawn line at Wildflower. Marilee, to the famed long course, the who is 33, gravitated to triathbest place to find first timers lon when her lifetime love of is the short distance mountain cycling become a bit boring. Contributed photo bike event on Saturday which Skid, 41, joined a triathlon offers a 400-meter swim, an Marilee Guzman-Saurenman, left, and her son club and fellow members told 8-mile mountain bike and a Jacob will toe the starting line at the upcoming him how much fun damping Wildflower Triathlon at Lake San Antonio. 2-mile run along Wildflower’s out and racing at Wildflower beautiful lakeside paths. was. It’s there you will find the “I brought my son with us in 2009, but only as a spectaparents and children of two northern California families tor,” said Skid. “My wife and I raced Ironman St. George who embrace the sport. last year. But even before St. George we’ve been planning Karin Neal of Greenbrae and her three children, Kathand looking forward to going back to Wildflower in 2011.” erine, 12, James, 10, and Grace, 8, will be diving into the The experience must have inspired Jacob, 14, who runs waters of Lake Nacimiento for the start of the mountain cross country and is on the swim team at Bonita High bike triathlon. School. “My parents are my inspiration – and I wanted to “From past experience, we want the kids to walk away have the same fun they had.” feeling very accomplished and proud,” said Karin. “They Both Jacob and his dad are looking forward not only to also share camaraderie with their friends who also com- sharing the experience, but also some father-son competipete. I think the kids realize that not all kids, their peers tion. back home, would sign up to do this. There is no hiding “The last race we did together [not Wildflower], there behind a team because it is all up to you and I think they were many emotions ranging from supporting, encouraglike breaking out of their comfort zone.” ing, cheering and then taking rivalry in it,” recalls Skid. Katherine, who is on her school’s swim team, thinks that “I passed Jacob at about three-quarters of a mile on the the family factor makes it unique. run and he returned the favor at about mile two. When he “I think it is much more fun to do the event the same passed me I’m pretty sure that I was thinking exactly what days as my parents, my brother and sister and friends,” she he must have been thinking when I passed him: ‘No way I says, “because it makes me feel more comfortable and I re- going to let him just run away from me like that.’ ally like being able to see them on the course as well.” Jacob takes the rivalry in stride, but is grateful for the With so many choices of organized sports available to entire triathlon experience. “It made me a stronger person, youngsters — soccer, baseball, basketball, gymnastics, ten- mentally and physically.” ✪

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April 14, 2011

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In the world of Triathlon, there’s just one Wildflower Triathletes exercise with purpose. For 7,500 swim/bike/run enthusiasts, that mantra looks like wildflowers. Dubbed the “Woodstock of Triathlon,” because of the unique atmosphere (family, camping, music, community) at Monterrey County’s Lake San Antonio, Wildflower Triathlons has grown from humble beginnings in 1983. Then, 85 participants attended “a bluegrass festival with music, arts, crafts, wildflower exhibits, a 10K run and 100K triathlon. Today, with sponsorship from Avia and numerous supporting companies, the event draws 30,000 and is a three-day spectacle from April 29-May 1. At the Avia Wildflower Triathlon, produced by TriCalifornia Events, one will experience, as a participant or spectator, a sense of community amidst one of the most exciting, energy-filled environments imaginable. Remember your first 10K? Multiply that 1,000 times and add an elite field of world-class athletes ready to test the record books. New Zealand’s Terezo Bozone holds the men’s course record at 3:53:43, set in 2006. The women’s record was set in 2010 by Julie Dibens of England in 4:27:53. May 2012 will mark Avia Wildflower’s 30th Anniversary. Through years of growth, 1985 was a critical year for Wildflower. The festival was transformed from a bluegrass festival to a sporting event. A shorter race was added and the promoters reached out to the university community at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. There were about 350 triathletes and probably as many spectators. The students from the recreation and physical education majors came out in full force with about 100 volunteers.

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From 1986 to 1989 the race became nationally and internationally known with many professional triathletes making it a stop on their calendar. Triathletes such as Scott Molina and Paula Newby-Fraser won the race and were spreading the word to the other professionals. Newby-Fraser would win five Wildflower Championships. In 1989 the 100K Triathlon was changed to a Long Course distance race. The swim was increased to 1.2 miles. The new bike course would go all the way around the lake, which has 56 miles of shoreline. It also added “Nasty Grade,” five biking miles of almost straight uphill climbing that would become one of the signatures of Wildflower. The run course had increased to13.1 miles. The course added hills, heat and lots of pain. A third race, the Mountain Bike Triathlon, was added to take advantage of the mountain bike boom and give beginners who don’t own a road bike a chance to race. The 2007 25th Anniversary saw more than 8,000 participants and 30,000 spectators. From the world’s elite, to youth events (which have more than doubled in the past five years), to anyone with a goal of getting in shape and staying in shape, the run-bike-swim components are tailored to every level. Sprints offer a 500-meter swim, 12mile bike and 5K run. Variations of that are the Olympic (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run); Half Ironman (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run); Ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run); Short duathlon (5k run, 30k bike, 5k run) and Long duathlon (10k run, 70k bike, 10k run). — SportStars and TriCalifornia Events

TriCalifornia

One of the 2010 Wildflower finishers cherishes the moment by holding up the finishing tape.

April 14, 2011

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impulse: feed the beast It’s not exactly Christmas but it might as well be. We’re giving away a treasure trove of prizes and gifts that would put Santa and his little elves to shame. Why? Well, you may have noticed that we at SportStars are passionate about all sports. And we know that you, the reader, are just as passionate as us. We want to give back to all of you by offering up prize packages of various sports. It’s safe to say you’ll find a package that fits you. Want to win? It’s easy, just 1) go to the next page and fill out the Interactive Advertiser’s Index (sounds important and official, we know). 2) Rank the prize packages you want in order from one to three. Having trouble? Pick your passion and go from there. 3) Check off boxes of your favorite advertisers to get sweet discounts, killer deals and news on upcoming sales. 4) Send in your completed form to SportStars HQ by mail or drop it off at our office. Without further ado, here are the giveaways... — Erik Stordahl

Golf & Tennis

Right out of the gate, say hello to Augusta and Pebble Beach with the TaylorMade R11 Driver, a dozen TaylorMade Penta golf balls and the TaylorMade Supreme 2.0 Stand Bag all from TGW! Let’s keep things moving. Whether you’re playing in the sweltering heat of Melbourne or the obliterating humidity at Flushing Meadow, playing in comfort is crucial. You’ll want to don the Nike Dri Fit Stretch polo and the All Day polo. With these shirts, sweat is a thing of yesteryear. Also, who wants sweat in their eyes? With a Halo Headband, sweat won’t bother you as you’re competing in top form. When it comes to equipment, our friends at Prince are giving away the EXO3 Blue 110 racket. Rack up ace after ace while dominating your opponents with an overwhelming barrage of forehand and backhand winners and stopping them dead in their tracks with killer drop shots. After taking home the hardware, pack up all your gear in the Prince Tour Team 6 Pack tennis bag. Store your rackets, balls, shoes, wristbands, wallet, checkbook, car keys in this hefty yet comfy tour quality bag. One bag not enough? Rossi’s Tennis & Running of Lafayette is giving away a Prince tennis bag. On one of your days off, hit up any CourseCo course in your area for a free round of 18 holes for you and the rest of your foursome. Just a few of their courses include Callippe Preserve Golf Course (Pleasanton), Deep Cliff Golf Course (Cupertino) and Foxtail Golf Club (Rohnert Park). Now that the weather is getting nicer, it looks like the sun will play a factor in your performance. Give your eyes a break by wearing your very own pair of Rudy Project Rydon Golf sunglasses. Don’t forget about using your Rudy Project Rydon Golf umbrella to block those massive UV rays. To become the ultimate sun defender, you’ll need these products from K2: sunscreen, flick stick, lip balm, face stick – all included in this package!

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April 14, 2011

Outdoor & Adventure

Endurance

For those with aspirations of hiking Half Dome in a day or kayaking down Class 5 rapids in record time, then we might’ve found the perfect package for you. Bear Valley Mountain royally hooked us up with the grand prize: a spot in the Bear Valley Mountain Cycling Experience. This four-day camp vacation will whip you into cycling shape and get you ready for any race as you learn from the experts and tour the scenic California Alps. You’ll also have several Adventure Sports to choose from which includes swimming, hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking. Our friends at the Rudy Project hooked us up with even more gear. The Skyanto Helmet can be used for skateboarding, biking, rollerblading, or just about any extreme sport. They’ve offered up another pair of Rydon sunglasses but these ones are more ideal for outdoor/adventure sports. What outdoorsy person doesn’t have their own day pack? Problem solved as Rudy Project is giving away their own Hydration Pack which is great for camping, hiking and cycling. When you’re out in the woods or up in the mountains, it can no doubt get ice cold. Wearing this Nike Premier Half-Zip Fleece will keep you so warm you’ll think you’re baking in a sauna of a five-star hotel. Let’s not forget you’ll receive a Halo Headband as well in this package. Oh yeah, you get the K2 mini prize pack, too.

If you’re constantly dreaming about wearing the Yellow Jersey at the Tour De France, and have LiveStrong pumping in your veins, then we think we’ve got your attention. Once again, the Rudy Project is here to fulfill your cycling, running, swimming, triathlon-ing dreams. Wear the Rudy Sterling helmet, Fluo sunglasses, and racing jersey and shorts, and your friends will think you’ve turned into Lance Armstrong (Quick note: the lawyers who represent SportStars would like us to acknowledge that simply donning this attire will not actually transform you into seven-time Tour De France champion Lance Armstrong, or any other professional athlete, living or dead). TriCal is also donating a swag bag of awesome gear like a racing hat, sandals, a fitness book and other cool stuff. Oh yeah, our friends at Infineon Raceway are giving away four tickets to the IndyCar Series race in July — the perfect day trip for the whole family! You’ll also pick up a Halo Headband, and, again, the mini prize pack from K2 as you battle the blazing elements of the sun.

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feed the t beas

❏ Rate ❏ pick ❏ win

on i s s a p r Fuel you

Which sports do you love the best? RATE ’EM: 1=Best! 2=Like it 3=Yeah, it’s ok Adventure & Outdoors Text: Stars 1 to 87365 3-day Mountain Cycling Experience

Endurance: run, bike, swim Text: Stars 2 to 87365

Golf & tennis Text: Stars 3 to 87365

IndyCar Weekend!

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tee2green

Early participants give First Tee Tri-Valley national exposure What a wonderful five years The First Tee of Tri-Valley has experienced. In 2006 the Life Skills Experience was introduced to our first participants and who could have imagined the success and achievements of our juniors. The First Tee offers participants the opportunity to attend Life Skills Academies, Future Leaders Forums and The First Tee Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links as part of the P.G.A. Champions Tour schedule. These opportunities are only available to participants achieving the minimum skill level of Birdie Certified and reaching minimum age requirements. In 2007, only one year after commencement of programming, two of our Birdie Certified participants, Stacy Koh, 16, and her sister Candice, 14, were selected to attend The First Tee National Academy at Golf House Tennessee. The following year, Travis Rowney, a 14-year-old high school freshman, attended The Wal-Mart First Tee Open Participant Selection Process at Kansas State University. In addition, Kortnie Maxoutopoulis, a 15-year-old sophomore, attended the girl’s selection process at Wentworth by the Sea Country Club in Rye, New Hampshire. Travis and Kortnie were both selected to

represent our Chapter at the Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach over the Labor Day week of August 25-31, 2008. Maxoutopoulis attended the event a second time in 2010, playing in a Pro Am pairing of Tom Kite and Clint Eastwood. In view of the fact that we were a small fledgling chapter, we were extremely proud of these four young people who were trailblazers for all our future participants. Their selection was based on knowledge of The First Tee Life Skills curriculum, summary of community involvement, awards/recognitions and extracurricular activities, personal interviews and essays, involvement and longevity with The First Tee, and proficiency on the golf course. n Visit with your local The First Tee chapter at the Fresh Express Classic at TPC Stonebrae in Hayward on April 14-17. ✪

First Tee Files Roger Whincup

Butch Noble

Kortnie Maxoutopoulis, a senior for Foothill High in Pleasanton, has been a standout golfer for The First Tee Tri-Valley since 2006.

First Tee Files is a rotating column featuring administrators from the four Bay Area chapters of The First Tee. Roger Whincup is the program director of The First Tee Tri Valley. Find out more on each chapter at: www.TheFirstTeeContraCosta.org, www. TheFirstTeeOakland.org, www.TheFirstTeeSanJose.org and www.TheFirstTeeTri Valley.org.

Contributed photo The Haggin Oaks Golf Expo draws more than 20,000 patrons.

answer questions. New to the Expo in 2011 will be the Game Improvement Stage and the Sacramento Golf Council Putting Championship. The Game Improvement Stage will offer educational opportunities such as golf ball fitting, putting clinics, golf shaft education and other tips and tricks. The Putting Championship will entail three categories (Mens, Women and Juniors) and each winner will receive a brand new Limited Edition Never Compromise Gambler Series putter and other cool items. For a list of participating vendors, along with a schedule of the education seminars and vendor map at the Haggin Oaks Golf Expo, please visit www.hagginoaksgolfexpo.com. ✪

Sacto’s renown Haggin Oaks Golf Expo set for Year No. 34 By erik stordahl | SportStars It’s that time of year again for the Haggin Oaks Golf Expo in Sacramento. Golfers from all over California, Nevada and Oregon flock to this event which is known as the biggest golf expo in the entire country. This year’s edition will take place April 28-May 1. “We’re thrilled with the growth of this event, our new partnership with Golf Digest and Golf World, and being part of their Experience Tour,” says Ken Morton Jr., director of retail at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex. “I’m sure my dad had no idea how much this would grow since his first attempt in 1977. This is a great benefit to consumers.

SportStars™

April 14, 2011

They can talk to and be educated by experts, try and compare several models from many manufacturers, and be fitted right on the spot for equipment. Our new partnership builds on our past success and we expect to raise the bar even higher.” Raising the bar higher would be a sight to see as Haggin Oaks already has averaged more than 21,000 attendees each year for the last two years, and over 150 exhibitors showing off the latest in golf technology and equipment. Big time vendors including Cleveland, TaylorMade, Titleist, Ping and Nike will be on board this year. They’ll have free hitting stalls on the driving range and vendor experts will be made available to

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April 14, 2011

SportStars™

Nutrition: Key to unlocking peak performance

ost sports require a mix of short bursts of speed, power, endurance and mental focus. I’m sure most of you already know from past columns that training is crucial to optimal performance. But what about nutrition? It seems that this is often the missing piece to the performance puzzle. Many young athletes mistakenly think that chugging an energy drink in the locker room before their match will help their performance. Or eating nothing for breakfast, then eating fast food for lunch before going to a two-hour practice fueled by junk. Not really effective. If your young athlete is fueling themselves with junk and not enough calories throughout the day, what effect do you think this will have on their performance in the gym, on the field, and in the classroom? Supportive nutrition fuels optimal performance in their sport and in the classroom by repairing muscles, improving health, reducing injury potential and playing a vital role in brain functioning. Here are some general nutrition tips courtesy of the International Youth Conditioning Association: Carbohydrates — These should absolutely be the cornerstone of a young athlete’s diet. The key is to focus heavily on quality carbohydrates which provide sustained, slow-release energy for continuous physical and mental energy. Think fiber, not carbs. The focus of whole grain carbohydrates should be on foods that provide at least three grams of fiber and less than 10 grams of sugar per serving.

Fruit and vegetables are also a crucial element for a high performance athlete. The key is to introduce young athletes to as many of these nutrient-dense, colorful foods as possible! Protein — This plays a very important role when trying to improve your young athlete’s performance by repairing tissue, increasing lean muscle, and improving his or her overall health! It’s important to make sure your young athletes always focus on highquality protein food sources first. Variety in the diet will ensure they’re getting the most “bang for their buck” in terms of various amino acids and other nutrients. Young athletes need to be taught proper nutrition habits, focusing on nutrient-dense foods rather than supplements. Whole foods provide more nutrients than any supplement can or ever could provide. Fat — This is another crucial nutrient for athletes providing cushioning for joints and organs as well as brain development. The key, like with the other macronutrients, is to focus on quality. Fat also provides a lot of calories which can be important for very active, young athletes who need more calories than most to develop healthy, strong bodies. They should eliminate trans fats by sticking to fats that are liquid at room temperature — eating less safflower, sunflower and corn oils and eating more fish, raw nuts, avocados and canola oils. Fluids — Water is really the best option. It takes just a 2% body weight loss to hinder performance. Plain water can adequately hydrate the body for activities less than 60 minutes in duration. Athletes should drink water throughout the day as well as before, during and after play. Your young athletes should be feeding their bodies. To be the best athlete, they need to train and eat like the best athletes. For more information on how to make the best nutrition decisions for young athletes, visit www.FuelLikeaChampion. com. ✪

Training Time Tim Rudd for IYCA

Tim Rudd is an International Youth Conditioning Association specialist in youth conditioning (level 3), speed and agility (level 2), and nutrition specialist (level 1). You can contact him with questions or feed- back at tim@fit2thecore.com. 32

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camps + clinics BASEBALL/SOFTBALL Golden Era Baseball Golden Era Baseball, based out of the East Bay offers several instructional based programs as well as 9U thru 18U Club Teams. Spring Hitting Classes: Currently we are taking sign-ups for our Spring Hitting Classes. Our Hitting Classes are a comprehensive Player Development Program, where the goal is simple… to take every player from where they’re currently at as a hitter and to do our best to help each player become an even better, more complete hitter! Please see our website for full details: www.GoldenEraBaseball.com The Pitching Center We develop baseball players to their full potential. The Pitching Center has grown to become the Total Player Center (TPC), a full-service baseball and softball training academy. Age- and skill-specific programs are available for students ages 8 – High School. Info: 925-416-1600, thepitchingcenter. com CABERNET BASEBALL CLUB The Livermorebased club hosts The Pitching

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Center’s Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2011, April 5-7. Players ages 8-14. Lil’ Baseball also offered, March 2-May 14, for ages 3-7. 925-416-1600, www.thepitchingcenter.com. SportForm Based in Concord, SportForm provides individual and team instruction in baseball, softball, lacrosse. Highly trained professionals provide accelerated and advanced skills clinics. Prepare to Perform! Info: 925-459-2880. City of Walnut Creek Baseball is Fun Beginner Camp. July 25Aug. 4, 9 a.m.-noon, Mon.-Thur. at Tice Valley Park; Extended day/week available w/Deluxe Sport Option. Ages 5-9. $35/$75. Registration: www.walnut creeksportsleague.com, 925-952-4450. All American Softball 2011 Softball Summer Day Camp at Alyce Norman Bryte Playfields. Girls of all ages welcome. Camp features a college softball Q&A with our AllAmerican staff. $250/athlete; $150/ athlete when registering 6 or more at one time. Info: 916-374-1907, www. softballschool.com. BASKETBALL City of Walnut Creek Basketball is Fun Beginner Camp. July 11-21 at Tice Valley Park; extended day/week available with Deluxe Sport Option. Ages 5-12. $35/$65 per week. Registration and info: www.walnut creeksportsleague.com, 925-952-4450. Saint Mary’s College camps Spend your June and July learning

fundamentals or honing your skills at McKeon Pavilion. Plenty of options are available. Registration and info: 925-631-4386, smccamps@stmarysca.edu; www.smcgaels.com. Bladium Triple Threat Academy Alameda’s Bladium Sports & Fitness Club hosts multiple hoops camps for ages 6-12. Designed for players of ALL skill levels. Registration: AlamedaSales@bladium. com, 510-814-4999; www.bladium.com. CHEER CheerGyms.com Cheergyms.com offers the best clinics in California! Customize your clinic to fit your needs from basic stunting techniques or working on twist cradles out of one leg stunts, we take your team to the next level! Info: 866-685-7615, www. CheerGyms.com East Bay Sports Academy Recreational, competitive athletes benefit from training with the best coaches. Our 10,000 sq. foot facility is clean and bright with the newest equipment. Info: (925) 680-9999, www.EastBaySportsAcademy.com.

VOLLEYBALL Pacific Rim Volleyball Pacific Rim Volleyball is offering up several camps and clinics in the next few months. Setting camp: Setters will have discussions on strategy, set selection and leadership to help gain insight on being a successful setter. Hitting Camp: Specifically designed for left and right side hitters. There will be emphasis on passing and transition from defense and serve receive to offense. Skills Camp: The all skills camp is designed for all ages and skill levels. Campers will be evaluated and placed in a group that challenges their level of play. Registration for beach volleyball is going on now as well. For more info and list of all camps, please visit www. pacificrimvolleyball.com U.S. Youth Volleyball League USYVL hosts series of Summer camps in several Northern and Southern California locations. We’re the leader in developing, maintaining youth volleyball leagues for boys and girls ages 7-15. With an emphasis on positive reinforcement, we seek to build confidence and self-esteem in each child. Info: 1-888-988-7985 or www.USYVL.org. EQUESTRIAN Earthquake Arabians Earthquake Arabians will be hosting camps throughout spring and summer at

their facility in the Morgan Territory. Camps are April 25-29, June 13-17 and June 20-24. Get an early enrollment discount of $50 if you sign up by May 15. Campers will experience horseback riding, horsemanship, horse painting, horse games and also receive a free T-shirt. Learn from trainers and instructors who have years of competitive and teaching experience. Size is limited so sign up now! Call 925-360-7454 or go online: www. EarthquakeArabians.com for more info. Enrollment forms available online. Kelly Maddox Riding Academy Develop new friendships with other horse-crazy kids. Weekly activities include learning horse colors, markings and breeds; arts and crafts; a farrier demonstration and human horse show; bareback riding and more! Info: 925-5754818, www.KellyMaddoxTraining.com Franklin Canyon Stables Franklin Canyon Stables in Martinez provides two covered arenas and easy access to trails. Beginning riders or experienced equestrians, we have a place for you. I provide instruction in horsemanship on the ground and in the saddle while having fun. Info: 925228-1801; http://www.kimshorsetraining. com/franklin_canyon.html

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Sports medicine specialist talks pitching injuries at Antioch clinic By erik stordahl | SportStars Baseball players of all ages, coaches and parents were treated to a clinic on throwing injuries at Deer Valley High School in Antioch on April 7. The event was put on by Sutter Delta Medical Center and was led by its very own Dr. Benjamin Busfield, sports medicine specialist. Dr. Busfield’s experience spans many years of involvement with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kings, Sparks and Dodgers. The crux of his message was simple: Limit pitch counts. “Practice makes perfect is what’s taught, and ‘No pain, no gain,’” explains Dr. Busfield. “I don’t think (these young pitchers) understand what they’re doing to their bodies.” By limiting pitches and allowing ample rest in between starts, pitchers can enjoy a fruitful and prolific career. The key is to start this method at an early age. Baseball players generally graduate from T-Ball and Coach Pitch by the time they’re 8-years old. The model is basic: The older the pitcher, the more pitches he can throw and the more rest is needed. “What caught my eye was the time of recovery for some of the injuries,” explains Deer Valley High pitcher Patrick McKnight, who was in attendance with the rest of his team. “Some injuries are up to a year, year and a

half – not a quick fix.” The recovery period McKnight was referring to is tied to Tommy John surgery, which is essentially elbow reconstruction. This surgery involves recruiting a ligament from another body part and using it to replace the ligament in the medial elbow. Patience is the name of the game as it takes typically 12-15 months to fully heal. A key factor in serious throwing injuries is pitching year-round — fall ball, high school, and summer travel ball. Dr. Busfield says it’s important to do as the pros do and take some time off. Deer Valley baseball head coach Dennis Luquet disagreed. “Our pitchers throw in the fall,” says Luquet. “Now the two guys I have that didn’t throw in the fall, both hurt their shoulders and didn’t pitch their senior years. I believe you still long toss, you still pitch with your mechanics. You just don’t throw as much as you do during the regular season. You cut back.” Obviously, baseball isn’t the only sport in town. Sutter Delta is looking to host more events where serious injuries specific to other sports can be covered. “We’re already talking about setting something up for wrestling right now,” remarks Deer Valley athletic director Tim Ryan. “We’ll run a series of these if we possibly can to keep the community informed.” ✪

Continued from page16 Blanka Vlasic. “I like and admire how she handles pressure,” Wilson said. “She handles herself with so much composure and so much confidence, yet she always has a smile on her face. I like that.” And Taylor likes everything about how Wilson works. “She’s definitely physically talented and gifted. But more than that, Trinity never misses a practice,” he said. “She works extremely hard. She has everything you need to compete at a high level. She’s just a really, really good kid and she wants to be great.”

Practice Makes Perfect All of her vast skills and natural talents were displayed in Arcadia on April 9. Wilson made amends and scored the meet’s all-time best mark at 13.51, blowing away the field with an absolutely clean performance. She led at the first hurdle and never relin36

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quished it, winning handily over Long Beach Poly’s Melia Cox (13.83). Her winning mark also bettered the best time in the country this year previously held by Georgia sensation Kendall Williams at 13.66. Like always, Wilson started strong, was technically flawless through the middle range, but then what made Taylor most pleased, she finished strong. “She never backed off,” he said. “Her eyes were on the prize.” Said Wilson: “Everything I practiced on this week I was able to pull all together today and that feels really, really good. Practice makes perfect, so it was all good.” Wilson, who was just off her personal best, feels like she’s on pace to reach her goal of 13.1 by the end of the season. “That’s what I’m shooting for,” she said. “But more important than that is I know I don’t want to have that second-place feeling I had last year.” ✪

Good training, physical therapy should mimic the motions of your sport

e have all heard of the grueling boot camps that members of the Armed Forces must go through as part of their physical training. They are arguably the most conditioned individuals in the world. The basis of their training is running, swimming, push-ups and sit-ups. However, after a closer look at their training recently, they asked themselves, “Is this what we do in the real world and when we’re out in the field?” Sure, they had the strength, endurance and speed. But that wasn’t enough. They wanted the exact type of strength, endurance and speed required for the field. So they began incorporating something called “functional training.” Michael Boyle, the author of Functional Training for Sports, explains functional training as follows: “Function is, essentially, purpose. Functional training can therefore be described as purposeful training.” Functional training and the principle of specificity have been utilized by physical therapists in rehabilitation and training for years. Physical therapists develop exercises that simulate what patients do at home or work in order for them to be prepared for return to their lives or job after an injury. Physical therapists in the sports setting have utilized the same principles for their injured athletes to return to sports with confidence. So, is your training helping you gain the EXACT type of strength, endurance and speed for your sports activity? Are you training with a purpose? If your sport requires body impact to the ground or is influenced by gravity, does the majority of your training mimic that? Are you strength training in positions, and moving in patterns that you do in your sport? Does your sport require quick strong bursts or moderate repetitive muscle contractions? Whether you are in-season or it just ended, go out and evaluate what your sport activity involves, then modify your training program to match it. Keep in mind the following aspects of specificity training principle: ■ What muscles are you using? ■ What joints are moving together and/or independently? ■ What pattern are you moving in? ■ What speed does your muscle have fire? ■ Energy system requirement (aerobic vs. anaerobic system) Work together with your coach, athletic trainer or physical therapists to help guide you to a safe and effective training program. They will help you make sure that you have good baseline strength and correct form before you progress to higher level exercises. To get you started, here is an example of a great exercise for an athlete that needs to do a lot of repetitive jumping (basketball or volleyball player). This will get you ready for the game when you have to repetitively jump and fight for a rebound or when you’re going up to spike and then quickly recover to go up for a block. It’s very rare in a game to only jump once, so prepare your body for more! Box jumps on/off: Jump off box (any height is fine, higher=harder) and land softly in a squat position. Or work on jumping onto a box, also with a soft squat position land. Repeat 8-10 times or when fatigued. ✪

Health Watch Wendy Cao

Wendy Cao is a physical therapist intern for the staff of Sports Medicine For Young Athletes, a division of Children’s Hospital Oakland with a facility also located in Walnut Creek. If you have questions or comments regarding the “Health Watch” column, write the Sports Medicine For Young Athletes staff at Health@SportStarsMag.com. Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com

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photo finish

When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re 6-foot, 4-inches and the only guy on the field that gets to stand and throw from a hill, that can make you look pretty intimidating. Just ask the batters who had to face Alhambra-Martinez lefthander Alan Eichman during the Alhambra Easter Classic from April 2-7. Eichman started the semifinals on April 5 and pitched five innings, allowing one hit and one earned run while striking out five. PHOTO BY : Jonathan Hawthorne

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